Chapter 369 - Distrust
Chapter 369 of "After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times" starts the action: Qiao Xi was a great general under Liu Yuan, and after he was killed, much... Find out what happens!
Qiao Xi was a great general under Liu Yuan, and after he was killed, much of the threat to Guan City was resolved. Zhao Hanzhang assisted Beigong Chun in quickly gathering together nearby villages and towns, driving back the Xiongnu soldiers surrounding them, and seizing several key transportation routes.Because of these battles, the newly incorporated Jiehu quickly became familiar with the Zhao Family Army. Although they were not yet close, the hostility between them had decreased significantly.
Indeed, the battlefield is the fastest place to become acquainted with others.
Even Zhao Hanzhang and Beigong Chun had grown more familiar with each other, which made Beigong Chun frequently cast his eyes on Fu Tinghan, wishing he had such a military advisor or lieutenant.
Who could refuse an assistant with extensive knowledge and command of all terrain and military data?
After looking at Fu Tinghan, he couldnât help but feel disdain when he turned to look at Huang An.
Huang An seemed to sense this and recently wandered around in front of Beigong Chun whenever he could, reminding him, "General, do you think we can return to Xiliang after this battle?"
So, stop hoping for Fu Tinghan.
Can Fu Tinghan go back to Xiliang with you?
Disappointed, Beigong Chun replied to Huang An expressionlessly, "Weâll definitely go back, the soldiers are homesick, and once the threat to the Yu State is resolved, weâll return to Xiliang immediately."
This time, he decided not to inform the court first; he would wait until returning home to talk about it.
Zhao Hanzhang was unaware of Beigong Chunâs plan. She was looking at the map with Fu Tinghan, or rather, watching Fu Tinghan draw the map.
In recent days, they had seized several transport points. Fu Tinghan had gone to see them, and he was drawing a simple map. This was the territory of Yu State, which they might need in the future.
After He Ci Shiâs death, he left word that Zhao Hanzhang was to be the next inspector. Although whether she could firmly hold this position was still up for debate, she had already automatically placed herself as the ruler of Yu State.
So now, watching Fu Tinghan draw the map was like watching someone draw her own home. "The location of Guan City is excellent, but itâs also critical; the city walls can completely be moved here."
Fu Tinghan took a glance and said, "The project is too large; do you have so many people and money?"
Zhao Hanzhang tapped the location thoughtfully, "Then garrison troops here and make this area a military zone."
This was feasible, Fu Tinghan nodded.
The two were discussing the future direction of development and construction in this area when Beigong Chun came over and said, "I received news that Liu Yuanâs various forces are splitting and advancing towards Guan City."
He looked at Zhao Hanzhang, frowning slightly, "Did you bring them here?"
Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan exchanged a glance, then stood up straight and smiled, "Isnât it just right? We can form a pincer movement with General Gou and Chen County, attacking them from inside and outside."
Beigong Chun reminded, "If Gou Xi doesnât send troops, just relying on us and Chen County, we wonât be able to win this battle, and by then, it might be Yu State that gets wiped out. Whose plan is this?"
"Mine," Zhao Hanzhang said seriously, "General Gou is upright. If he promised me, he wouldnât break his word. I believe in him!"
Beigong Chun stared at Zhao Hanzhang for a moment, nodded without much expression, and turned to leave.
Fu Tinghan watched his figure disappear, then turned to Zhao Hanzhang, "Whatâs going on? Does Beigong Chun have a conflict with Gou Xi?"
"Beigong Chun came to support Luoyang and has to follow Wang Yanâs dispatches. As everyone knows, Wang Yan is Prince East Seaâs man, and although Beigong Chun is brave, heâs also from Xiliang, which Gou Xi should be wary of." Zhao Hanzhang narrowed her eyes, "I hadnât thought of it if you didnât ask. Guan City isnât far from where Gou Xiâs main army is stationed. As fellow Jin Army, Beigong Chun must have asked Gou Xi for reinforcements, but now it seems..."
Gou Xi didnât support Beigong Chun, so itâs no wonder Beigong Chun doesnât trust Gou Xi.
Seeing Beigong Chun furious, Huang An immediately followed after him and complained, "General, I told you to be cautious around them, and indeed, sheâs in cahoots with Gou Xi."
Beigong Chun turned and smacked him on the head, frustratedly saying, "Canât you grow some brains with that height of yours? Stop just practicing martial arts, read some books in your spare time."
Huang An, aggrieved, covered his head and looked at Beigong Chun in confusion.
Beigong Chun said, "I said itâs a devious plan, and who do you think loses out? Itâs Zhao Hanzhang!"
He continued, "Sheâs the bait. It seems Zhao Hanzhang has been provoking Xiongnu territories to anger Liu Yuan. A few days ago, we killed Qiao Xi, yet she didnât leave, drawing the Xiongnu army here."
"She wants to ease the pressure on Chen County while strategizing a pincer attack with Gou Xi. Itâs a brilliant plan, but it requires Gou Xi to send troops timely and adequately. Otherwise," Beigong Chun sneered, "if Gou Xi doesnât stick to his promise, Chen County is far in the rear and canât support immediately. Then weâre stuck with Zhao Hanzhang, and we might all get overwhelmed by the Xiongnu army. Whether we can fight our way out is questionable."
Huang An was shocked and asked, "Then what do we do? Isnât she setting us up?"
Beigong Chun thought for a moment and said nonchalantly, "If she hadnât come to help us, we wouldnât last long anyway. Never mind, letâs watch how things unfold. After all, dying sooner or later is the same, now it depends on Gou Xi."
Gou Xi received the news that the Xiongnu were concentrating towards Guan City, and after a brief contemplation with lowered eyes, he ordered the troops to be assembled and prepared for dispatch.
Yan Heng and Ming Yu, along with other advisors, had no objections and immediately took their orders, although someone quietly reminded Gou Xi, "Great General, thereâs still Beigong Chun in Guan City."
Gou Xi frowned, though he disliked Beigong Chun, he recalled Zhao Hanzhangâs agreements and said, "Go assemble the troops. Over at Chen County, Zhao Ming and Ji Yuan are in charge. If Zhao Hanzhang doesnât escape safely, the Zhao Family wonât acknowledge her promise to me."
However, Zhao Hanzhangâs ability to attract anger was something Gou Xi couldnât ignore. He didnât expect her to be so hated that Liu Yuan would mobilize so many forces from various armies to capture her.
This means that the pressure on Chen County would decrease significantly, while he, who was in a combined position with Zhao Hanzhang on the central line, would face more enemy troops.
Nevertheless, the one facing the most pressure should be Zhao Hanzhang.
Gou Xi contemplated; her courage was impressive to provoke so many enemy troops.
Liu Yuan didnât know that during Zhao Hanzhangâs disappearance, she had reached a cooperation with Gou Xi. She would disappear after each city battle, moving to the next.
The Xiongnu had grown accustomed to this, so naturally, Liu Yuan wouldnât suspect anything.
When she appeared in Guan City, killed his great general Qiao Xi, and secured several key points around Guan City, Liu Yuan understood Zhao Hanzhangâs intention and said, "She wants to rescue Beigong Chun and save Guan City!"
Liu Yuan sneered, "Sheâs arrogant, thinking she could relieve Guan Cityâs plight with only two thousand men behind my Han Kingdomâs occupied lines. Humph, weâll show her the might of our Xiongnu."
To prevent Zhao Hanzhang from slipping away again, Liu Yuan dispatched troops from various directions of the Xiongnu army this time. To prevent anyone from disobeying, he used severe measures. In short, this time, Zhao Hanzhang must be captured, and if not captured alive, she should be killed.